South Kesteven

South Kesteven's population grew in the 10 years leading up to the latest census. At the same time there were changes in average age, housing tenure and work life.

The population passed 130,000

Between the last two censuses, the population of South Kesteven increased by 7.2%, from just under 125,000 to 134,000.

The addition of just under 9,000 people means this area's population increased at a similar rate to the overall population of England (up 7.9% since the 2001 census).

In 2011, South Kesteven was home to, on average, 1 person per football pitch-sized piece of land.

Population density was lower than the average across the East Midlands

Population density (usual residents per football pitch-sized piece of land) across the East Midlands, March 2011 (larger dots represent greater increase since 2001)

An older South Kesteven

Census 2011 data also show a change in the local population's average age.

Between the last two censuses, the median age of South Kesteven increased by four years, from 39 to 43 years.

This rural area had a higher average age than the East Midlands and remained somewhat older than the average local authority area across England (39 years of age).

The rise in age was because of an increase of almost 5,800 people between the ages of 60 and 69 years, while the population between 30 and 39 years decreased by just over 3,000.

About 13% of people in South Kesteven are aged between 60 and 69 years

Percentage of usual residents in England, East Midlands and South Kesteven by 10 year age band, March 2001 and March 2011

Disability in South Kesteven

South Kesteven saw the East Midlands' second-largest fall in the proportion of people who aren't limited by a long-term health problem or disability.

In 2011, just under 9 in 10 (90%) in South Kesteven reported not being limited in their day-to-day activities, compared with 91% in 2001. The percentage who are considerably limited by a long-term health problem or disability increased from 2.5% to 3.4%.

Across the region, only East Lindsey saw a greater fall in the proportion of people who aren't limited by a long-term health problem or disability (from 89% to 87%).

The proportion of people who aren't limited by a long-term health problem or disability was higher than across the East Midlands

Percentage of usual residents that reported not being limited in their day-to-day activities across local authority areas in the East Midlands and the average across England, March 2011

Health improved

The percentage of South Kesteven residents that described their health as bad or very bad decreased from 7.2% to 4.8% in the 10 years leading up to the latest census.

Rates are standardised to account for variation in age, which can impact the local population's health.

In 2011, just over 8 in 10 (82%) said their health was good or very good, compared with 71% in 2001. The percentage of South Kesteven residents that described their health as fair decreased from 22% to 13%.

The proportion of residents that perceived their health as bad or very bad increased faster here than in any other local authority district across the East Midlands. The improvement brought health in South Kesteven close to the national average 5.5% in England described their health as good in 2011).

These data are people’s own opinions in describing their overall health. They may be inconsistent with other measures of health, such as NHS records.

The percentage of people in ’bad’ or ’very bad’ health in South Kesteven decreased by 2.4 percentage points

Percentage of usual residents in South Kesteven, the East Midlands and England said their health was bad or very bad, March 2001 and March 2011

Change in unpaid care

The percentage of South Kesteven residents that provided between 20 and 49 hours of weekly unpaid care increased from 0.8% to 1.2% between the last two censuses.

The percentage who reported providing at least 50 hours of unpaid care each week remained close to 1.7%.

The proportion of people providing between 20 and 49 hours of weekly unpaid care increased at a similar rate to the figure for the whole of the East Midlands (from 1.2% in 2001 to 1.4% in 2011). Across England, the percentage increased from 1.1% to 1.4%.

The proportion of people providing between 20 and 49 hours of weekly unpaid care in South Kesteven remained close to 1.2%

Percentage of usual residents in England, East Midlands and South Kesteven by care, March 2001 and March 2011

Rise in private renting

The percentage of households in South Kesteven that rented privately increased from 8.7% to 15% in the decade leading up to the most recent census.

In 2011, just under one in seven (13%) households lived in social housing, compared with 15% in 2001. While the percentage of South Kesteven households that owned their home decreased from 73% to 69%.

The proportion of privately rented homes increased here at a similar rate to the figure for the whole of the East Midlands (from 8.5% in 2001 to 15% in 2011). Across England, the percentage increased from 9.9% to 17%.

Private renting in South Kesteven increased by 6 percentage points

Percentage of households in South Kesteven, the East Midlands and England that rented privately, March 2001 and March 2011

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Area report data

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